Red Wings set to celebrate Pride Night at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday

As an extension of the Detroit Red Wings' year-round support of NHL's Hockey is for Everyone initiative and the LGBTQ+ community, the team will celebrate equality and inclusion in hockey during Pride Night at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday before and during the Red Wings' home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"Through the Hockey is for Everyone platform, the Red Wings have been committed for many years to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion remains a core priority of our organization - on and off the ice," Red Wings and Tigers director of community impact Kevin Brown said. "We're excited to expand our annual Hockey is for Everyone Night at Little Caesars Arena to now envelope three distinct evenings this season, starting with Pride Night on Tuesday."
To begin the Pride Night celebration on Tuesday, the Red Wings will host 100 members of the LGBTQ+ community from local groups like Affirmations, Ruth Ellis Center, Free Mom Hugs, and Wayne State University as guests of the organization.
Prior to enjoying the game, the guests will be treated to a reception, complete with game day snacks and a special Red Wings Pride T-shirt.
The Red Wings Group Sales team has also engaged with local LGBTQ+ organizations for a group ticket package. Each Pride Night group ticket includes a rainbow Winged Wheel T-shirt and a donation to LGBTQ+ organizations.
Additionally, the Red Wings have invited each
Game Changers honoree
from last June's Pride Month to attend Tuesday's game.
The Game Changers panel discussion from Pride Month, which featured honorees Dani Woods - LGBTQ+ Liaison, Detroit Police Department; Roz Keith - Founder and Executive Director, Stand With Trans; Kevin Heard - Founder, Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce; and Mark Erwin - Director of Development, Ruth Ellis Center, will be played on the Little Caesars Arena videoboard before the game.

Other pregame initiatives to celebrate Hockey is for Everyone include honoring a local youth hockey player, chosen by You Can Play, who became a visible ally for the LGBTQ+ community, as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Youth Skater of the Game. The National Anthem will be performed by the PRISM Men's Chorus, and two local drag queens - Emma Sapphire and Sabin - will enjoy first intermission Zamboni rides.
Red Wings players will also join the celebration by using rainbow-themed "Pride Tape" on their sticks during pregame warmups. Immediately following warmups, the Pride-tape sticks will be autographed by the players and auctioned off at DetroitRedWings.com/Auction, with proceeds benefiting the Ruth Ellis Center and Affirmations. The exciting online auction will run through Tuesday, October 26.

Several in-game elements will take place to celebrate Pride Night, including an Autographed Mystery Puck Draw on the concourse where fans can purchase autographed Pride-logo mystery pucks signed by Red Wings players, with proceeds benefiting Ruth Ellis Center, Affirmations and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation.
Volunteers from Affirmations will also participate in the Detroit Red Wings Foundation's 50/50 Raffle, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to Affirmations.
"Through several exciting initiatives, tonight's game will feature opportunities for fans to support local LGBTQ+ organizations -- Affirmations and Ruth Ellis Center - while we continue to support and welcome everyone in the LGBTQ+ community," Brown said. "Pride Night will bring together Red Wings fans in the LGBTQ+ community and allies to continue hockey's growth toward becoming the most inclusive sport. On the ice, in the stands and in our community - hockey welcomes all."